Political Geography Concepts Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a state?

a region with no defined boundaries

a territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation (correct)

a political party

a type of government

What is geopolitics?

the study of the effects of economic geography on the powers of the state

Define regionalism.

loyalty to the interests of a particular region

What does frontier mean?

an undeveloped field of study Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

to divide a geographic area into voting districts to give unfair advantage to one party in elections Signup and view all the answers

What is reapportionment?

a new apportionment of voters Signup and view all the answers

What is UNCLOS?

1994 constitution for the ocean to protect resources; specifically in the ocean Signup and view all the answers

What does sovereignty mean?

government free from external control Signup and view all the answers

Define shatterbelt.

an area of instability between regions with opposing political and cultural values Signup and view all the answers

What are treaty ports?

cities opened to foreign residents as a result of forced treaties between the Qing Empire and foreign signatories Signup and view all the answers

What is annexation?

the formal act of acquiring something (especially territory) by conquest or occupation Signup and view all the answers

What was the Berlin Conference?

a meeting from 1884-1885 where European nations agreed on rules for the colonization of Africa Signup and view all the answers

Define colonialism.

attempt by one country to establish settlements and impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory Signup and view all the answers

What is imperialism?

control of territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous society Signup and view all the answers

Define irredentism.

a policy of cultural extension and potential political expansion by a country aimed at a group of its nationals living in a neighboring country Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a satellite nation?

formally independent, but under heavy influence or control by another country Signup and view all the answers

What are civil divisions?

the part of a governmental unit which oversees noncriminal matters Signup and view all the answers

Define confederation.

the act of forming an alliance or confederation Signup and view all the answers

What is democratization?

the spread of representative government to more countries and the process of making governments more representative Signup and view all the answers

What does devolution refer to?

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states Signup and view all the answers

What is a forward capital?

a capital city positioned in contested territory, confirming the state's determination to maintain its presence there Signup and view all the answers

What does the domino theory state?

the political theory that if one nation comes under Communist control then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control Signup and view all the answers

What is the Iron Curtain?

a political barrier that isolated the peoples of Eastern Europe after WWII Signup and view all the answers

Define manifest destiny.

policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable (as if granted by God) Signup and view all the answers

What is the United Nations?

an international organization aimed at promoting peace and cooperation among countries Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Geography Terms and Concepts

State: A defined territory within a nation; for example, the United States.
Geopolitics: Examines how economic geography influences state power; relevant during border conflicts.
Regionalism: Involves loyalty towards specific regional interests; evident in national loyalty.
Frontier: Represents undeveloped fields of study; exemplified by the American West as the last frontier.
Gerrymander: The practice of manipulating voting district boundaries to favor one party; notable case in Illinois 4th district.
Reapportionment: The redistribution of voters, particularly seen in the adjustment of congressional seats based on census data.

Legal and Territorial Concepts

UNCLOS: The 1994 constitution for the seas, primarily focused on protecting ocean resources and setting nautical boundaries.
Sovereignty: The ability of a government to operate without external interference; established for America post-Revolutionary War.
Shatterbelt: An area marked by instability due to conflicting political and cultural ideologies; demonstrated by the Gaza Strip.
Treaty Ports: Cities designated for foreign trade through treaties, with extraterritorial rights for foreigners; affected China's trading capabilities.
Annexation: The formal acquisition of territory through conquest or occupation; seen in Texas post-Mexican conflict.

Historical and Colonial Dynamics

Berlin Conference: Held from 1884-1885, this meeting determined rules for African colonization, resulting in conflict due to disregard for cultural boundaries.
Colonialism: The process of establishing settlements and imposing a country’s principles on another region; exemplified by the British Empire.
Imperialism: Involves controlling already occupied territories; notable in the establishment of Jamestown.
Irredentism: A policy aimed at extending cultural and political influence to nationals in neighboring regions; practiced by ancient Romans.
Satellite Nation: A formally independent nation significantly influenced or controlled by a larger country; Cuba during the Cold War serves as an example.

Governance and Political Systems

Civil Divisions: Government sectors managing noncriminal matters, such as recreational services.
Confederations: The formation of alliances or confederations; the Confederate States of America during the Civil War is a historical example.
Democratization: The process of spreading representative government; exemplified by South Korea's political evolution.
Devolution: The transfer of power from a central government to states; observed in Africa post-independence from European states.

Geopolitical Theories and Historical Events

Forward Capital: A capital in contested territory that underscores a nation's commitment to maintain presence; Washington DC during the Civil War is a case in point.
Domino Theory: Suggests that the fall of one nation to communism may lead to others falling similarly; relevant in the context of China and North Korea.
Iron Curtain: A political barrier post-WWII that restricted Eastern Europeans from crossing borders; representative of the democratic versus communist divide.
Manifest Destiny: A belief in the divinely ordained expansion of the United States; played a key role in Westward Expansion.

International Organizations

United Nations: A global organization aimed at fostering international cooperation and addressing global issues.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key political geography terms and concepts, including state definitions, geopolitics, and regionalism. This quiz also covers important legal concepts such as UNCLOS and sovereignty. Challenge yourself to understand how geography impacts politics and territory.